the wii...?

Question

sucks, the 360 is way better. the graphics are better, the gameplay is better. the normal gamer does not care about being able to swing their arm back and forth to kick a football. and it doesnt even come with a dvd player or internet, they are all-add ons. so even though nintendo tries to sound afforable, by the time you buy what the others have, its just or even more expensive. you are all in for a big let-down. so, on a change of pace, why is everyone so infatuated with with the wii???

Answer 1

Zelda! Pretty much I guess that will make it ROCK your world... maybe some other titles but my definite answer is ZELDA! Thats why everybody is waiting for the Wii

Answer 2

1) you mention "normal gamer" (read:lazy fat kid). Nintendo has already said it isn't interested in marketing to the average gamer because they don't have much vision. What they are interested in is bringing a whole new group of people to gaming. Again your normal gamer isn't a part of that group. Your normal gamer doesn't care about party games. Fortunately there are some gamers who are enlightened enough to appreciate more then just 3 types of games (sports, shooters and .... GTA>A clones). Some people are interested in doing more then just twiddling their thumbs and want to actually get involved.

2) You mention gameplay being better.... What planet are you from? Please ship us your "awesome" 360 games because for to date 360 games are getting mediocre reviews. Even X-box games are getting better scores then 360 games (not always but it has happened more then a few times). By gameplay I'm assuming you mean games which means you don't know what you are talking about. (by this point I'm assuming you have broken down into some kind of Lemming Fan-Boy seizure fit and cannot continue reading. the remainder of this answer is for everyone elses enjoyment)

3) DVD player or other add ons. Someone explain to junior here what happens when you play movies in your console? You burn out the hardware faster (PS2?). So you know what? I don't watch movies on my consoles, never have and I never will. If I want to watch DVDs I'll use this awesome thing called a DVD player. Oh and everyone on this planet has to buy an HD DVD add on to watch HD dvds on the 360 making the ps3 (using your logic about add ons) infinitely more awesome then the 360. Personally I like being able to decide what features of a console I want to take advantage of. If I don't plan on watching DVDs on it, I shouldn't have to pay for it.

4) moving your arm while playing a video game.... Wow I really don;t know what to say. If moving more then your thumbs is a challenge for you, maybe someone on your planet (you know where 360 games score perfect 10s) will start a training class where they teach lazy bums how to not only move their arms while sitting in a chair, but also how to come up with convincing arguments and not just incoherent garbage.

I'm psionyx and I approved this tongue lashing

Answer 3

I myself prefer the 360, but it is like you are comparing a truck to a sedan they are meant for two different things. Plus the wii does have internet for free, and on it you will be able to download old nintendo games as well new ones just like the 360 marketplace. The wii is a party system meant for playing with friends for pure fun which it looks like it will do nicely, therefore graphics do not matter, because graphics do not make the game it is the game itself. In the case of motion sensor it will be as simple as flicking your wrist not swinging your arm. Finally chances are if your buying a system you likely already got a dvd player i myself rarely use the 360 as such. And you said you will spend as much doubt it a dvd player is $70 and I have already said it does have internet and 70+250 does not equal 600. I myself plan on getting one after the holiday rush.

Answer 4

normal gamer does not care about being able to swing their arm back and forth to kick a football.

how can you kick with your arm?

Answer 5

I agree with you completly. The Wii stinks.

Answer 6

The Wii (pronounced as the word "we", IPA: /wiː/) is Nintendo's seventh-generation video game console. Its project code name was Revolution.

The key feature of the Wii console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which may be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. The console also notably features WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while consuming very little electrical power.

Nintendo first mentioned the console in the 2004 E3 press conference, and at the 2005 E3, unveiled the system under the code name Revolution. Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's President, revealed a prototype of the system's game controller at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show during his keynote speech in September 2005.[2] At E3 2006, Wii won the Game Critics Awards for Best of Show and Best Hardware.[3] The console is set to be released on November 19 2006 in North America, Peru, and Colombia, December 2 2006 in Japan, December 7 2006 in Australasia and Italy, December 8 2006 in Europe and December 9 2006 in Spain.

Contents [hide]
1 Launch
1.1 Release date and price
1.2 Confirmed launch titles
2 Name
3 Hardware
3.1 Wii Remote
3.2 Sensor bar
3.3 Technical specifications
4 Features
4.1 Wii Channels
4.2 Backward compatibility
4.3 Nintendo DS connectivity
4.4 Parental controls
4.5 Online connectivity
5 Software library
6 Marketing
7 In popular culture
8 See also
9 References
10 External links



Launch

Release date and price
On September 14, 2006 and September 15, 2006, Nintendo announced release information for Japan, North and South America, Australia, and Europe, including dates and prices. The information can be seen in the table below.

At a June 7, 2006 policy briefing, Nintendo revealed that it intends to release 6 million console units and 17 million software units during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, and 4 million or more console units by the end of the 2006 calendar year.[4] On September 14, 2006, it was announced that the majority of the 2006 shipments will be allotted to the Americas.[5]

The Spanish launch of the Wii console has been moved to December 9, 2006, because December 8, 2006, is the celebration of the Immaculate Conception and thus all shops will be closed.[6] The Italian release has been moved to December 7, 2006, for the same reason.[7]

Nintendo of Canada vice president and general manager Ron Bertram stated that the company expects a million consoles for North America at launch,[8] information picked up by IGN on September 25, 2006.[9] The next day, Nintendo branded the information as a "misstatement about the number of Wii consoles that will be available in the Americas during the launch rollout," and reiterated earlier statements of expected sales of 4 million consoles worldwide by the end of 2006 with the largest allotment available in the Americas. The company affirmed that they "are working to ensure a plentiful supply and a consistent flow."[10]

Despite the price point of US$60 quoted for many seventh generation games,[11] Satoru Iwata said that it is unlikely that first-party games would cost more than US$50.[12]

The launch Wii package includes the console, a stand to allow the console be placed vertically, a circular clear stabilizer for the main stand(http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/12/top-ten-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-the-wii/), one Wii Remote, one Nunchuk attachment, one Sensor Bar, a removable stand for the sensor bar, one external main power adapter, AV cables (component video and other type of cables will be available separately), and (in all regions excluding Japan) a copy of Wii Sports.[13]




Release date and suggested retail price by region* Region Expected pricing at release Release
date Accessories
Release Price Approx. USD Equivalent Wii Remote Nunchuk Classic Controller
United States US$249.99[14] $249.99 November 19, 2006 $39.99 $19.99 $19.99
Canada CAD$279.95[15] $250 $44.99 $24.99 $24.99
Mexico MXN$4,499[16] $420 ($355†) - - -
Colombia COP$1,100,000[citation needed] $460 ($395†) - - -
Peru PENS/.1,499[citation needed] $464 ($390†) - - -
Japan JPÂ¥25,000[17] $215* ($205†) December 2, 2006 Â¥3,800 Â¥1,800 Â¥1,800
Australia AUD$399.95[18] $300 ($275†) December 7, 2006 $69.95 $29.95 $29.95
New Zealand NZD$499.90[19] $330 ($295†) $99.95 $49.95 $49.95
Italy €259[20] $329 €39.99 €19.99 €19.99
Eurozone €249‡[21] $325 ($275†) December 8, 2006 €39.99 €19.99 €19.99
United Kingdom GB£179‡[21] $340 ($285†) £29.99 £14.99 £14.99
Denmark DKK 2200[citation needed] $368 ($303†) - - -
Norway NOK 2395 [citation needed] $376 - - -
Sweden SEK 2659‡[citation needed] $369 479 kr 299 kr 299 kr
Finland €269.90[22] $344.69 - - -
Spain €249‡[23] $315 ($265†) December 9, 2006 - - -
Brazil R$2,399[24][verification needed] $1,124 2006 - - -

* Wii Sports comes packaged with the console in all regions excluding Japan.

† USD equivalent with local VAT, GST or sales tax removed for ease of comparison with territories that do not include taxes in consumer prices

‡ Retail price as estimated by, rather than suggested by, Nintendo[25]


Confirmed launch titles
As of October 2006, it has been confirmed that around 26 titles will be available on launch day in North America.[26] A number of those titles will be available, in other versions, for Nintendo's other game platforms: Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS. Wii Sports will be included with the console bundle at launch in all regions excluding Japan.

Game Title Region(s)[27][28] Game Title Region(s)[27][28]
The Ant Bully AUS Avatar: The Last Airbender NA SA AUS [29]
Barnyard NA SA EUR AUS [29] Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII EUR AUS
Call of Duty 3 NA SA EUR AUS Cars NA SA EUR AUS [29]
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 NA SA AUS Elebits JPN AUS [30]
Ennichi no Tatsujin (Master of Festivals) JPN [31] Excite Truck NA SA
Far Cry: Vengeance EUR AUS [32] The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy NA SA AUS
Gottlieb Pinball Classics EUR GT Pro Series NA SA EUR AUS
Happy Feet EUR AUS [33] Kororinpa JPN
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess NA SA JPN EUR AUS Machi Kuru Domino JPN
Madden NFL 07 NA SA AUS Marvel: Ultimate Alliance NA SA AUS
Metal Slug Anthology NA SA Monster 4x4 World Circuit NA SA JPN EUR AUS
Necro-Nesia JPN Need for Speed: Carbon NA SA EUR AUS
Open Season NA SA EUR AUS Rampage: Total Destruction EUR AUS
Rapala Tournament Fishing NA SA Rayman Raving Rabbids NA SA JPN EUR AUS
Red Steel NA SA JPN EUR AUS SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab NA SA EUR AUS [29]
Super Fruit Fall EUR AUS Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz NA SA JPN EUR AUS
Super Swing Golf JPN Tamagotchi's Sparkling President JPN
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent NA SA EUR AUS Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam NA SA EUR AUS
Trauma Center: Second Opinion NA SA JPN WarioWare: Smooth Moves JPN
Wii Play JPN EUR AUS Wii Sports NA SA JPN EUR AUS
Wing Island JPN World Series of Poker NA SA


Name
Wikinews has news related to:
Nintendo Revolution name revealedThe console was known by the codename of "Revolution" until immediately prior to E3 2006.[34] Nintendo spells "Wii" with two "i"s to imply an image of players gathering together, as well as to represent the console's controllers. Nintendo has given many reasons for its choice of name since its announcement; however, the most well known is:

Wii sounds like 'we', which emphasizes that the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.[35]

According to the Nintendo Style Guide: A Guide to the Proper Usage of Some of Nintendo's Products:

It is simply Wii, not Nintendo Wii. It is pronounced "we", indicating its all-inclusive nature. The name works best at the beginning of declarative statements. For clarity, it is best to avoid passive verbs and prepositions.

This means it will be the first Nintendo home console outside of Japan to not feature the company name prominently in the console's trademark. Despite Nintendo's justification for the name, many members of the press, online communities, and game developers[36] initially reacted negatively to the name change. Some "wish Nintendo had stuck with 'Revolution',"[37] pointed out phonetic similarities to the French word oui and mostly negative words in English,[36] or expressed "fear that the name would convey a continued sense of 'kidiness' [sic] to the console,"[38] Nintendo defends its choice of "Wii" over "Revolution" and suggests to that those who dislike the name "live with it, sleep with it, eat with it, move along with it."[39]


Hardware

Wii box artThe Wii console is Nintendo's smallest home unit yet; measuring 44 mm wide, 157 mm tall, and 215.4 mm deep in the vertical orientation without the included stand (which itself measures 55.4 mm wide, 44 mm tall, and 225.6 mm deep).[40] It is approximately the size of three standard DVD cases stacked together (approx. 4.5 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm). The console can be stood either horizontally or vertically.[1] The front of the console features a slot-loading media drive illuminated by a blue light and accepts both 12cm optical discs for Wii software and 8cm discs from Nintendo's prior console, the GameCube. When a disc is inserted, the light illuminating the disc port turns off. When there is no disc the light turns on, allowing the player to load discs in the dark. The ability to load differently sized discs is uncommon in slot-loading media drives, which typically only accept discs of a single size. Two USB ports (at the rear) and one SD card slot (behind a flap cover at the front of the console) are provided.

Nintendo has shown the console and the Wii Remote in various colors, including white, black, silver, lime green, and red.[41][42] The console will initially be available only in white[43]. At E3 2006, the Wii Remote was shown in light blue.[44] Numerous minor changes were made to the design between its original unveiling and launch, mostly in the Nintendo branding used and button placements.

A Nintendo spokesperson has confirmed plans to release a version of the console with DVD-Video playback capabilities in Japan. Releases in other territories are not currently planned.[45]

On Monday, November 13th, 2006, digital media company Sonic Solutions Inc., released a press release stating that Nintendo has chosen them to provide Sonic® CinePlayer® CE DVD Navigator for the Wii in a future iteration of the Wii. The press release does not state what territories the new Wii will come out in but the release states that Nintendo plans to release the DVD playback capable Wii in the "latter half of 2007." [46]


Wii Remote

The Wii RemoteMain article: Wii Remote
The Wii Remote is a one-handed controller that uses a combination of accelerometers and infrared detection (in conjunction with the sensor bar) to sense its position in 3D space. This allows users to control the game using physical gestures as well as traditional button presses. The controller connects to the Wii console using Bluetooth, and features force feedback, 4KB non-volatile memory[47] and an internal speaker. The controller can connect to other devices through a proprietary port at the base of the controller. Perhaps the most important of these is the Nunchuk unit, which features an accelerometer and a traditional analog stick with two trigger buttons.


Sensor bar

The sensor barThe sensor bar comes with the Wii console and can be placed anywhere near the display screen parallel to the screen's horizontal edge.[48] Nintendo's developers went through several versions of the sensor bar[48]. The final release version of the bar is approximately 20cm long[49] and comes with its own stand[49] for positioning in front of the TV. The use of the sensor bar allows the Wii Remote to be used as an accurate pointing device up to 5 meters. Concerns about the sensor bar being adversely affected by halogen lights and sunlight were raised after demo units failed to function optimally. Nintendo confirmed that the sensitivity of the Wii sensor bar can be influenced by extreme lighting.[50] However, this issue is not likely to come up in most homes.


Technical specifications
Nintendo itself has released very few technical specifics regarding the Wii console. The known details include:[1][51]

Processors:

CPU: PowerPC based processor codenamed "Broadway", made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process[4]
GPU: ATI "Hollywood" GPU made with a 90 nm CMOS process[52]
Memory:

1T-SRAM[53]
Ports and peripheral capabilities:

Up to four Wii Remote controllers (connected wirelessly via Bluetooth).
One SD memory card slot.
Two USB 2.0 ports.
One Sensor Bar port.
Four Nintendo GameCube controller ports.
Two Nintendo GameCube memory card ports.
WiFi 802.11b/g wireless built in
Compatible with optional USB 2.0 to Ethernet LAN adaptor.
Built-in content ratings systems:

CERO,[citation needed] PEGI, ESRB
Storage:

512 MB built-in flash memory.
Expansion available via SD card memory.
Gamecube Memory Cards (for saving GCN games only).
Slot-loading disc drive compatible with:
8 cm GameCube optical disc.
12 cm Wii optical disc.
Mask ROM by Macronix.[54]
Video:

Up to 480p[55](NTSC) or 576p (PAL/SECAM), will work with any TV or projector.
Component (including Progressive scan), S-Video, or composite output.*
16:9 anamorphic widescreen support.
Note: Component cables must be purchased separately. GameCube component cables are not compatible with the console.[56]

Audio:

Main: Stereo - Dolby Pro Logic II-capable.[57]
Controller: Built-in speaker.



Features

Wii Channels

Mii ChannelMain article: Wii Channels
The operating system interface for the console is designed around the concept of television channels, with a Wii Menu used to access them. Separate channels are graphically displayed in a grid, and are navigated using the pointer capability of the Wii Remote. There are eight primary channels: the Disc Channel, Mii Channel, News Channel, Forecast Channel, Photo Channel, Wii Shop Channel, Internet Channel and Virtual Console Channel(s).


Backward compatibility
Nintendo has stated that the Wii console will be backward compatible with all GameCube software and most peripherals. This backwards compatibility is achieved with the help of the slot-loading drive being able to accept GameCube discs, and a set of four GameCube controller ports and two Memory Card slots, concealed by flip-open panels.[1] It has been reported that the use of a GameCube controller is required to play GameCube games and that the Classic Controller will not function in this regard. Nintendo has stated that the Wii console will not be compatible with the GameCube modem adapter, broadband adapter, Game Boy Player, AV cable, or AC adaptor.


Nintendo DS connectivity
The Wii console supports wireless connectivity with the Nintendo DS. Shigeru Miyamoto said Nintendo was still working out when features using this connectivity would be available, but that it would be soon after the launch of the system, due to the popularity of the Nintendo DS.[citation needed] At Nintendo's corporate policy meeting in June 2006, Satoru Iwata explained that the DS uses its wireless connectivity to communicate with Wii and that no further accessories will be needed.

The connectivity will allow the player to use functions like the Nintendo DS's microphone and touchscreen as inputs for Wii games. The first example Nintendo has given of a game using Nintendo DS-Wii connectivity is that of Pokémon Battle Revolution. Players with either Pokémon Diamond or Pearl will be able to play battles using their Diamond or Pearl Pokémon on Wii with the Nintendo DS as a controller.[58]

It has also been confirmed that the Nintendo DS will be able to play game demos downloaded from the Wii console which they would receive from Nintendo, similar to a DS Download Station.[citation needed] The console will also be able to expand Nintendo DS games.[59]


Parental controls
The console will feature parental controls, prohibiting younger users from playing games with content considered unsuitable for their age level. When a disc is inserted, it will read the content rating encoded on the game discs; if this rating is greater than the system's set age level, the game will not load without a correct override password.

It is confirmed that the European units will use the PEGI rating system,[60] whereas North American units will use the ESRB rating system.[61] While Nintendo has stated that parental control will be included in all Wii consoles worldwide, it has not yet clarified whether that means the console will support the native rating systems of other territories, such as that of CERO in Japan, the USK in Germany, the BBFC in the United Kingdom (games in the UK carry a PEGI rating, but may be submitted for BBFC rating if they include certain content or at the publisher's discretion), or the OFLC in Australia.


Online connectivity
Main articles: Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and WiiConnect24
The Wii console will be able to connect to the Internet through its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and through a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor, with both methods allowing players to access the established Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.[1] Nintendo has stated that the console will implement standard Wi-Fi protocols. Wireless encryption by WEP, WPA and WPA2 appear to be supported.[62] Just as for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo originally stated that they will not charge fees for playing via the service[63][64] and the Friend Code system will control how players connect to one another.[65][64] This system will also be implemented for console-based software such as the Wii Message Board, for which a feature is being considered for alerting registered friends for the Wii Message Board about new games that have been purchased. [66]

The service will have several features for the console, such as the Virtual Console, WiiConnect24 and the Wii Browser. The Wii console can also communicate and connect with other Wii systems by wireless LAN, enabling local wireless multiplayer on different television sets. Battalion Wars 2 first demonstrated this feature, for non-split screen multiplayer between two or more televisions. Nintendo announced two Wi-Fi enabled games at LGC 2006 in Leipzig: Mario Strikers Charged, and Battalion Wars 2. Although the console features an online mode, Nintendo has not provided the programming tools for 3rd party developers yet, meaning that only first party Wii games will be online, at least in 2006.[67] Nintendo has also stated that it will release an Ethernet Kit for the Wii console, which allows users to connect the console to a standard internet router without wireless support.[68]

At E3 2006 Nintendo announced WiiConnect24, a feature that will allow the Wii console to remain connected to the Internet in standby mode. The console only uses the amount of electricity equivalent to that of a miniature lightbulb. Some possible uses of WiiConnect24 that were mentioned include allowing friends to visit a player's village in Animal Crossing and downloading updates for games without having to be actively using the system. It has also been said that it would be possible to download Nintendo DS promotional demos using WiiConnect24 and later transfer them to one's Nintendo DS,[69] similar to a DS Download Station.


Software library
Main article: List of Wii games
Games representing all of Nintendo's flagship franchises, such as the Zelda series, Metroid series, Mario series, Animal Crossing series, Pokémon, and Fire Emblem series have been announced for the Wii console. Likewise, there are many announced titles that are original for it as well as many expected third party games. Ubisoft has upped their number of titles in development for the console to 14 (eight of which are to be launch games and only three of which were previously known about),[70] while Midway Games has announced they have six titles in development,[71] and EA, the world's biggest software manufacturer, has recently increased their development efforts for the console, declaring they are going to support it '100%'.[72]

Following a statement from Perrin Kaplan that the system would be region-free,[73] Nintendo of America and Nintendo of Europe have come to an agreement that the console will be region-locked.[74][75] However, the information was conveyed through an interview followed by corrections from spokespersons and has left some uncertainty on the matter.


Marketing
On Wednesday November 15, Nintendo will start running a series of TV commercials directed by Academy Award winner Stephen Gaghan. These commercials all together have a total budget of over US$200 million. The productions will be the first broad-based advertising Nintendo has ever done, and will include a two-minute 'documentary' showing off grandparents and parents enjoying Wii with their children. 80% of advertising will target adults, in an attempt to expand the market beyond Nintendo's traditional audience.[76]


In popular culture
In the twelfth episode of season 10 of South Park, Cartman cryonically freezes himself to avoid waiting for the Wii launch. He fails and ends up hundreds of years into the future.

THE WII WILL PWN U ALL.